Leading the Public University

David C. Hardesty, Jr.
2007
429pp
HC/J 978-1-933202-30-3$34.95

Summary

Leading the Public University provides an account of the challenges faced by public higher education through the eyes of a man who spent over a decade as the head of a major public university. This compilation of essays, speeches, and articles written during the administration of David C. Hardesty, Jr., depicts the history of West Virginia University during the twelve-year period that he led from 1995–2007 while representing the communication tools he used to achieve cultural change and to advance the university’s official agenda.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction · Follow Your Instincts

Part One · Lessons Learned: Leadership Principles and Practices

Recognizing Lessons Learned at the Turn of the Century: The Final State of the University Address

Ten Characteristics of a Highly Effective Organization

Lifelong Learning for Leaders and Organizations

Building Leadership Capacity

Leader Overlord: The Opperational Risks of a Robust Organizational Agenda

Can Education Be Run Like a Business?

Leading Change: Remarks to the Nataional Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges

Part Two · Mission, Vision, and Values: The President as University Advocate

Getting Started: The Inaugural Address

Marking Progress in the State University Addresses

A Plea for Public Support of Higher Education

The Joy of Teaching, Inside and Outside of the Classroom

Involving Parents in Support of the Mission: The West Virginia University Moutaineer Parents Club
By Susan B. Hardesty

The Vital Role of the Private Donor: West Virginia University's Randolph Cancer Center Gala

The Role of Women at West Virginia University
By Susan B. Hardesty

The Value and Perils of Intercollegiate Athletics

The Meaning of Social Justice

Priests of the Temple

Part Three · Teaching Momenst: A President's Call to Action

Remarks after September 11

Remarks to New Citizens of the United States at a Naturalization Ceremony

Finding Wisdom in the Information Age

Champion for Youth Development Programs

Celebrating Volunteers: First Annual Conference on Volunteerism

Encouraging Student Success

Supporting Productive Communities

Part Four · Education and Experience: Preparing for Leadership

Reflections on Our Journey to Service

Reflections on Undergraduate Growth: For the 125th Anniversary of Woodburn Hall

Reflections on the Oxford Experience: Residential Education as Preparation for Leadership

Leading Lawyers: Why Lawyers Lead in America

The Education of a Volunteer: Report of the Chairman to the University System Board of Trustees

Afterword · Brining Closure, Time to Say Goodbye: A Letter of Farewell to the University Community

Conclusion

Appendix 1 · Timeline of Speeches

Appendix 2 · The Numbers at WVU

Biographical Information

References and Cited Works

Author

David C. Hardesty, Jr., served as president of his undergraduate alma mater, West Virginia University, from 1995–2007. He also holds degrees from Oxford University and Harvard Law School. His presidency has been recognized for its student-centered initiatives and its commitment to West Virginia’s economic development. Enrollment, research activity, and endowments also grew rapidly under his leadership.